10 hidden Google Maps options, ideas, and tips

It is protected to say that every one of us can be misplaced (actually) with out our Google Maps app. It has fully changed the outdated technique of taking a look at outdated paper maps, writing down instructions, and, let’s be trustworthy, getting misplaced mainly on a regular basis. Now, all we have to do is sort in our vacation spot, technique of journey, and a useful little line will information us wherever we would like.

Everybody is aware of the best way to use Google Maps for fundamental navigation, however few individuals have explored simply how rather more you are able to do with this handy app. These secret ideas and tips aren’t solely enjoyable to indicate off to mates however will also be real lifesavers whereas touring. Don’t fret, I will not allow you to get misplaced whereas explaining these 10 hidden Google Maps options.

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1 Offline maps

Keep on observe whereas off the grid

This function might sound apparent to spotlight — we have a guide on this — however there are nonetheless loads of individuals on the market who do not know it can save you your map should you anticipate to lose service.

By storing a map regionally, you may have entry to fundamental map data, together with roads, geographical options, and companies within the space you’ve got chosen. You will not see opening occasions, critiques, and different detailed facets that include a Google Maps enterprise itemizing, however that is solely meant to get you by in a pinch. Transit, bicycling, and strolling instructions will not be accessible, both.

You may arrange an offline map in just a few easy steps:

1. From Maps,
   faucet your Google account avatar on the top-right nook
   . Then,
   choose Offline Maps
   .
2. Select
   Choose your individual map
   .
3. You will be taken to a framed map view.
   Pan and zoom
   to the place you want your offline map to seize.
4. Faucet Obtain
   . You will then be capable to entry details about this area when your gadget is offline.

In the event you’re planning a visit, Google Maps would possibly pop up a notification suggesting that you just obtain offline maps to be used throughout your journey. These solutions will even seem within the Offline Maps part. The app will predict if you are going to lose service based mostly on Gmail messages and any bookings you could have made by Google Flights or Google Journey.

Google Maps captions view frames with an estimate of how a lot information they’ll take up in storage. The widest body you possibly can retailer in a single offline map is roughly 140 x 280 miles or 225 x 450 kilometers. Utilizing that space, listed here are some regional examples of what to anticipate by way of information utilization:

• The Gibraltar area, together with Seville and Málaga in Spain, and Rabat and Fes in Morocco, is lower than 300MB.
• Southern California, together with Los Angeles, San Diego, and Tijuana, Mexico, is about 600MB.
• The New York Metropolis tri-state space, together with the whole thing of New Jersey, the Hudson Valley, western Connecticut and Massachusetts, most of Lengthy Island, and japanese Pennsylvania, together with Larger Philadelphia, is about 800MB.
• England, from Bournemouth to Durham on the east, together with Larger London and all of Anglia, is about 1.1GB.
• Mid-Honshu Island, Japan, with Tokyo within the south and Yamagata Prefecture within the north, is greater than 2.5GB.

It can save you as many maps of as many areas as your storage capability will permit.

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2 Dictate addresses in a overseas language

Break down language obstacles

Generally, Google Maps won’t be capable to information you all the way in which, particularly while you’re touring and are unfamiliar with the native language. Happily, you should use this function to beat the language barrier and search help. In the event you faucet on a focal point you want to go to after which faucet on the speaker icon that seems subsequent to its title on the prime of the itemizing, the app will show a field containing each the title of the place and its tackle, together with speaker buttons. When pressed, these buttons will pronounce them within the native language. It isn’t an ideal resolution — particularly with hyphens and numbers — nevertheless it would possibly simply be your lifesaver should you’re getting right into a taxi.

3 Dwell View AR for strolling navigation

Observe the arrow

Strolling instructions in Google Maps have by no means been extra handy and clearer than with the Dwell View perform. This function works on iPhones and most Android telephones and may be utilized on roads and paths coated by Avenue View. We even have a whole separate guideon the best way to use it. Primarily, all you must do is request instructions, hit the strolling tab, after which choose Dwell View. You will be prompted to scan your environment with the rear-facing digital camera to permit the app to orient itself. From there, simply observe the large floating arrows and indicators that seem in your gadget. In fact, watch the place you are stepping.

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4 Examine if a enterprise is cash-only

Money or card?

I am unable to bear in mind the final time I carried money and not using a particular purpose. I nearly by no means encounter points simply counting on my card, however for a lot of eating places and retailers, money remains to be the one cost possibility accessible. So, earlier than you head out to seize some noodles at a brand new spot, you would possibly wish to verify if it’s essential make a go to to the ATM by Google Maps.

1. Faucet on a enterprise to deliver up their itemizing.
2. Under the choice to
   Recommend an edit
   , faucet
   See all
   .
   • Alternately, within the carousel of tabs beneath the pictures, scroll all the way in which proper and choose
     About
     .
3. You will discover what types of cost are accepted on the backside of the
   Options
   part.

The Options part of a enterprise itemizing additionally accommodates different vital components corresponding to whether or not they provide vegan-friendly menu gadgets or accessible seating.

5 Measuring straight-line distance

How far is that?

The drive from Boston to New York Metropolis is about 215 miles by highway and 231 miles by rail. However for the occasions while you simply wish to know the gap because the crow flies, Google Maps has you coated with this rather obscure feature.

To measure straight-line distance:

1. Choose some extent on the map that’s not a spot of curiosity.
2. Scroll all the way down to see should you can spot the choice to
   measure distance
   — it is labeled subsequent to a ruler image.
3. You will then be taken to a viewfinder together with your
   “B” level anchored to the middle
   . Pan and zoom to your vacation spot. You will see the entire distance out of your authentic
   “A” level within the bottom-left nook regulate
   as you progress.
4. In case you are measuring the gap of a multi-point path, you possibly can press
   Add level
   on the bottom-right nook to just do that.
   • To take away some extent, press the
     undo arrow
     on the top-right nook of the display.
   • To undo all factors, faucet the
     three-dot icon
     and choose
     Clear.

By the way in which, it is 188 miles straight between New York Metropolis and Boston. I wasn’t going to go away you hanging.

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6 Keep in mind the place you parked

Do not lose your spot

As hilarious because the Seinfeld episode is, the place the gang spends all the runtime wandering round a parking storage searching for their automotive, experiencing it in actual life is something however amusing. Even should you’re lucky sufficient to park in a location with labeled spots, it is all too straightforward to neglect the place you’ve got left your automotive. Google Maps can help you not solely while you’re in your automotive but additionally to find your manner again to it.

Once you first exit your car, bear in mind to open Google Maps and faucet the blue dot marking your present location. Then, choose Save Parking. A pin with the letter P will mark the place you’ve got parked. You may press “Extra Information” to regulate the placement, enter any notes, and even embody how a lot time you’ve got paid for should you’re at a metered spot. You’ll obtain a notification when your time is about to run out, based mostly in your strolling distance from the spot.

7 Get forward of site visitors

Keep away from any jams

Suppose you are planning a drive for later within the day and also you’re searching for an thought of how lengthy it’d take. The problem at current is that Google Maps defaults to estimating drive occasions based mostly on present site visitors circumstances. And, as all of us perceive, later shouldn’t be now.

For the highway warriors keen to regulate their departure time on Google Maps, all it’s essential do after inputting your vacation spot is faucet on the three-dot icon on the top-right nook and select Set Depart or Arrive Time. You can set your departure or arrival time for any level sooner or later.

Google will label route choices with a spread of drive occasions for every, based mostly on typical site visitors circumstances for that a part of the day. In fact, precise outcomes might fluctuate since Google cannot see the long run…but.

8 Air high quality measurements

Breathe straightforward

Poor air high quality is detrimental to your well being, however it’s normally not possible to account for till you’ve got had a lungful. However, it may be a reality of life when coping with huge wildfires, volcanic eruptions, or simply plain warmth and humidity that permit pollution to hold within the air so simply.

Google Maps is ready to show air high quality measurements in 9 international locations. This information is collected at measuring stations arrange by governments and personal networks of air high quality screens. The jurisdictions embody:

• Australia through state and territory governments
• Brazil
• Chile
• India
• Israel
• Mexico
• Singapore
• South Korea
• United States

To verify air high quality circumstances, choose the Layer View button within the top-right nook (the one that appears like a stack of two squares). Then, below the Map Particulars part, faucet on Air High quality. You can view the newest readings in all supported areas, not simply your own home space. Moreover, you could possibly see overlays indicating the place giant smoke plumes are at the moment positioned.

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9 Final transit journey dwelling

Do not miss your journey

With regards to an evening out within the metropolis, public transit beats driving hands-down, particularly after just a few drinks. Nonetheless, since most transit strains cease working after a sure level within the night time, you may undoubtedly wish to know when to make your nice escape for the final bus or prepare. In any other case, you may face the results of journey app surge pricing.

To verify in your final doable transit journey with Google Maps, make sure you’ve entered your place to begin and vacation spot appropriately (faucet the up and down arrows icon to modify them round if needed) after which faucet the Depart at Time filter. You will see a piece that claims “Final.” Choose that, then hit Set to see your choices.

10 Share your location with family and friends

Maintain tabs on one another

Google’s Pixel telephones and Apple’s iPhone provide security options constructed into their firmware that can help you hold tabs in your mates and shut household. Many messaging apps, like Fb Messenger and WhatsApp, additionally provide this function. Nonetheless, we imagine that utilizing real-time location sharing on Google Maps is a good thought. In the event you’re attempting to coordinate the place you may be in an hour, why not use a correct, absolutely loaded mapping app to do it? Our full information to location sharing on Google Maps is accessible here.

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